The U.S. and Costa Rica play in heavy snow. / Byron Hetzler, USA TODAY Sports

by Jesse Yomtov, USA TODAY Sports

by Jesse Yomtov, USA TODAY Sports

The U.S. defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Friday night in Commerce City, Colo., but the result itself wasn't the story of the match.

Played in blizzard-like conditions, officials briefly halted the match 10 minutes after halftime, but players from both sides seemed to be encouraging the referees to allow play to continue. It did, and the U.S. held on.

After the match, Costa Rica's manager Jorge Luis Pinto vented his frustrations and said the Costa Rican FA will file an official protest to FIFA.

"It was an embarrassment to football, disrespectful to the game.

"I feel embarrassed... We're going to ask about it. When you can't see the lines on the field, the game should automatically be stopped."

Costa Rica's players also fumed after the match.

Midfielder Christian Bolanos, who plays in Denmark:

"Honestly, it was robbery, a disgrace, I've never played a game in these conditions. You couldn't see the ball ... if we had played without snow, we would have won, I am sure."

Forward Alvaro Saborio of MLS club Real Salt Lake:

"We couldn't play in those conditions, they should have stopped the game in the first half."

If the game had been abandoned, it would have had to be played within 48 hours, a major problem with both teams playing qualifiers on Tuesday.